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Change your inner self for the better

Shazeeda Kahnis a Muslim involved in the The Meeting House, which will be doing a program called "Caravan of Faith beginning Oct.25 to enlighten people on the different faiths in Danbury.

Shazeeda Kahnis a Muslim involved in the The Meeting House, which will be doing a program called "Caravan of Faith beginning Oct.25 to enlighten people on the different faiths in Danbury.

Photo: File Photo\Wendy Carlson

Change your inner self for the better

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"God wouldn't change the good condition of a people until they change their inner selves." Quran

To me, this promise of my faith is incredibly comforting. It helps me face the challenges of Ramadan, which begins for Muslims around the world today. For most of us, this means we embark on a month of sunrise-to-sunset fasting.

Firstly, it reminds us that God has blessed us. Islam teaches that God created us as virtuous beings, with innate intelligence -- plus we are surrounded with God's wisdom, guidance, grace and mercy.

Secondly, God promises blessings until or unless we exhibit unrepentant disobedience and ingratitude.

Islam guides us in a state of growth, of constant change -- from sinning to repentance. We believe it is not in our human nature to remain static. We are to move from that which displeases God to that which pleases him, from what God likes to what he loves.

As Muslims we believe God has revealed through his prophets and his books all that we need to live a meaningful life. Islam helps us understand what angers God and what pleases him. Thus, the commands and prohibitions of Islam provide the basis of justice -- both for ourselves and for those around us.

Muslims are also taught that humankind was created for the purpose of worship. Because of his love for his creation, the Creator, through his infinite wisdom, instilled in humanity an instinct for submission. Therefore, we believe we'll be controlled by that which we worship -- it will shape our way of living.

Islam teaches us that if our object of worship isn't God, it will be something else -- money, status, power, etc. God warns us in the Quran, "Don't let your (lower) desires become your god." If we do, these impulses will become the foundation of our morality and usually lead to injustice and corruption.

Every pillar of Islam is fundamental to being a Muslim. The pillars are forms of worship but also tools for spiritual training. In fact, they are keys for change in our inner selves.

As Muslims, we are warned against treating the pillars as mere rituals or overlooking them entirely. To do so would mean we might miss opportunities to foster a relationship with our Lord -- the Provider, Sustainer, Nurturer.

Islam teaches that a relationship with God is crucial to our success in navigating the complex choices of this world. We believe that on the day of judgment, only those who fostered a relationship with him will earn his mercy and enter paradise.

As we embark on the duty of fasting today, we try to be mindful of its purpose: "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may gain piety." -- Quran

While the injunctions of daily fasting require physical restraint -- not eating, nor quenching thirst, nor having intimate relations with a spouse -- they also require us to restrain ourselves from moral vices such as backbiting, gossiping, etc.

Fasting also develops the spiritual self by calling us to exert self-control -- to overcome selfishness, greed, laziness, etc.

Since of all our Islamic pillars fasting is uniquely private, I believe it is best able to help us achieve that elusive experience of God-consciousness -- that keen sense that God is aware of everything we do. This pillar also intensifies most all the other pillars of Islam.

The struggle of restraining ourselves from what is normally permissible, and the willingness to make this sacrifice, confirms our belief in the one God, the foundational pillar. And so it is with our daily prayers, as well as the opportunity Ramadan affords to multiply blessings during this month by becoming more charitable.

Prophet Muhammad (with peace) supplicated to God to save him from cowardliness and laziness -- two characteristics that are associated with many sins. In other words, I believe that often it isn't a lack of belief that leads us to commit sins, but rather a lack of courage or unwillingness to work hard.

It takes courage to be attentive of the limits set by God and to go against what everyone else is doing.

I pray Ramadan will change me -- not only temporarily, this month, but will bring permanent spiritual change. Therefore, I fortify my inner self by approaching Ramadan with vigor, clarity of vision and sincere recommitment -- with a resolve to grow closer to our Creator.